In a message dated 9/9/01 5:45:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< Though it is commonly quoted that breastmilk is not constipating,
 a wholly ecologically breastfed child may still be constipated.

 My firstborn daughter was.  That is a first sign of low thyroid
 though we had no idea until she was 16 and her hair was falling out.
 Both infrequent urination and bowel movments are a sign of slow
 metabolic processes. >>


I agree with you that a breastfed child can be constipated...however..its not
the breastmilk constipating the child...its a symptom of another condition,
and not likely to be alleviated due to changes in the diet, and discontinuing
breastfeeding is not likely to be useful, and in fact other milk/formula
feedings may further aggravate the condition.

In my work with children, if I see a breastfed child constipated (and yes I
have)....I suspect another problem and refer that child to the physician.
Often there is a neurological problem affecting peristalisis...or another
problem such as the previously mentioned thyroid.   Its often telling that
the child's parent or sibliings have the same trouble.  Many of the children
I see have known other problems, often a developmental delay. Autistic
children for example are commonly constipated.

I've seen countless otherwise healthy children doing fine on breastfeed begin
a problem with constipation after beginning other feeds.  And its worth
mentioning that what the parent describes as constiptation, isn't simply the
case, but simply a child that has infrequent (but normal) bowell movements.

I suppose it could be the occasional child that becomes constipated on
breastmilk,,and in this case I might suspect something in the mothers diet
aggravating the problem but in my memory I don't recall this happening with
any of my clients.

June Rychlik, BS, M.Ed.
Lawrence Massachusetts WIC Program

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